Severe Weather

Sandy interrupts presidential campaigns

A week before the election, Hurricane Sandy put a temporary stop to the presidential campaigns.

President Barack Obama plans to tour storm damage in New Jersey on Wednesday.

Republican challenger Mitt Romney has also suspended campaign events, but he plans to be back in New Hampshire on Monday, the day before the election.

The president spent much of Tuesday directing the federal response to Sandy's impact, speaking to the victims of the storm from the American Red Cross in Washington.

"The most important message I have for them is -- America's with you," Obama said.

In Ohio, Romney tried to strike a balance by helping out with a food drive in Dayton.

"We have heavy hearts, as you know, with all the suffering going on in a major part of our country," Romney said.

Seven days before Election Day, the storm put a wrinkle in the final push.

"Obviously, we are in the final week, so voter contact is critical," said Jim Merrill, senior adviser to the Romney campaign. "At the same time, we have to be very sensitive to people who are without power, who are dealing with downed trees and things of that nature."

Chicago Mayor Rahm Emanuel, Obama's former chief of staff, said the president's campaign will make the decision when to return to the trail.

"The White House will make that decision, you guys (in the media) will judge it," Emanuel said. "God forbid you go out too soon, and something gets messed up in Washington. So, they'll make a decision when it's appropriate."

GOP strategist Mike Dennehy said Obama may get a political benefit from responding to the crisis as president, but he said the public's focus on storm coverage also helps the campaigns get their messages out.

"People are watching TV, they are reading the newspaper, they are listening to the radio, and they are hearing advertising nonstop," Dennehy said.

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